Online-PDH Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers about previewing courses, purchasing PDH credit, completing quizzes, downloading certificates, maintaining records, and managing your account.
01
Course Access and Try Before You Buy
How open course access works and when payment is required
How does the Try Before You Buy model work?
You may create an account, enroll in a course, review its study guide, and evaluate the course format before purchasing PDH credit. If you decide to claim credit, complete the applicable single-credit or unlimited-plan purchase before generating the certificate of completion. Preview access by itself does not establish earned or paid PDH credit.
Is open course access the same as a free trial or free PDH course?
No. Open access allows you to evaluate the course materials before committing to a purchase. Payment is required before a certificate is generated or the course is reported for continuing education credit.
When must I make a payment?
Complete payment after evaluating the course but before the certificate step. The purchase should cover the course’s PDH value through either valid single-course credits or an active unlimited plan.
What if a certificate is generated before payment?
Do not report that certificate to a licensing board. Contact Online-PDH so the purchase and course record can be corrected. An account may be temporarily restricted while an unpaid certificate is resolved. Online-PDH can verify only properly paid course completions or completions covered by an active plan.
How does the course-completion process work?
- Select a course and enroll.
- Download and study the course guide.
- Complete the online quiz with a score of at least 70 percent.
- Confirm that payment has been completed or that an active plan covers the course.
- Download and retain the PDF certificate of completion.
02
Purchases and Plans
Payment options, plan terms, refunds, and transaction security
How do I purchase single PDH credits or an unlimited plan?
Visit the Pricing section on the Online-PDH homepage and select the option that fits your needs. Payment is completed on a Stripe-hosted checkout page. After payment, Online-PDH records the purchase or plan expiration in your account.
Where can I find my unlimited-plan expiration date?
After signing in, open the user menu beside your name and select Profile. Your plan expiration date appears in the account information area. The date shown in your profile is the controlling plan date, so review it before completing a course for credit.
How long does an unlimited plan remain active?
The current unlimited plan remains active for 24 months from the purchase date. If you hold a legacy plan with a different term, use the expiration date displayed in your profile. Unlimited plans do not renew automatically unless the checkout terms expressly state otherwise.
Do unused single PDH credits expire?
Under the current Online-PDH policy, purchased single PDH credits do not expire. Retain the purchase receipt and contact Online-PDH if an older purchase does not appear correctly in your account.
How should I plan courses around my license-renewal cycle?
Treat the Online-PDH plan term and your licensing-board renewal period as separate timelines. Complete each course within the period in which you intend to claim it, observe any daily or annual limits, and use carryover only when your board permits it. Do not assume that a 24-month plan changes a board’s renewal dates or permits credit to be claimed early.
Can I request a full refund?
Online-PDH offers a satisfaction and course-acceptance guarantee subject to its published refund policy. A refunded course or plan is no longer treated as a paid completion and cannot be verified as such for a licensing-board audit.
How is my card information protected?
Card payments are completed through Stripe-hosted checkout using encrypted HTTPS connections. Stripe is certified as a PCI Level 1 service provider. Online-PDH receives transaction details needed to identify and fulfill the purchase, but it does not receive or store your complete card number through the hosted checkout process.
03
Courses and Quizzes
Course components, quiz operation, passing scores, and PDH values
What does an Online-PDH course include?
A typical course includes a PDF study guide, an online computer-graded quiz, and a PDF certificate of completion generated after the course requirements and payment requirements are satisfied. Some courses may include additional references or instructions.
What software is needed to read a study guide?
Most current web browsers can open PDF files directly. You may also use a current PDF reader, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader. An outdated or specific legacy version is not required.
Can I leave a quiz and return later?
Yes. Moodle normally saves answers during an active attempt. Leave the attempt in progress rather than selecting Submit all and finish. When you return, reopen the quiz and continue the existing attempt. Allow the page to finish saving before closing the browser.
Is there a time limit while I am taking a quiz?
Online-PDH quizzes are not normally controlled by a countdown timer. You may save an in-progress attempt and return later. The course must still be completed while the applicable unlimited plan is active or must be covered by purchased single PDH credits.
May I retake a quiz if I do not pass?
Yes. Online-PDH quizzes may be attempted again without a retesting fee until the required passing score is achieved, unless a particular course page states a different condition.
What is the passing score?
The standard passing score is 70 percent. After passing, return to the course page and use the certificate link, provided the course is covered by a valid purchase or active plan.
Can I print the study guide and final quiz?
You may print the study guide for personal study and reference, subject to the site’s Terms of Use. Final quizzes are delivered through the website and are not provided as downloadable exam files.
How many questions are included in a quiz?
The number varies with course length and content. As an internal course-design practice, Online-PDH generally provides about 10 questions for the first PDH and about 5 questions for each additional PDH, with more questions when needed to assess the learning objectives. This is an Online-PDH design practice, not a nationwide NCEES-mandated question count.
What is a Professional Development Hour?
A Professional Development Hour, or PDH, is generally one nominal contact hour of qualifying instruction or presentation. A licensing board may apply its own rules for minimum activity length, rounding, acceptable subjects, and credit calculation.
| Activity unit | Model conversion |
|---|---|
| One contact hour | 1 PDH |
| One continuing education unit | 10 PDH |
| One college semester hour | 45 PDH |
| One college quarter hour | 30 PDH |
These are model conversions. Confirm the conversion accepted by your licensing board before reporting credit.
What are the practical advantages of an online course?
Self-paced online study eliminates travel and allows you to divide the material into shorter study sessions. Whether online learning, a seminar, or another format is best depends on the subject, your learning needs, and the delivery methods accepted by your licensing board.
04
Certificates and Records
Downloading certificates, retaining documentation, and audit support
How do I receive my certificate of completion?
After earning at least 70 percent on the quiz and confirming valid payment coverage, return to the course page and select Print Certificate. The certificate is generated as a PDF that you may download and retain.
Where can I see my enrolled and completed courses?
Open your user menu and select Profile. The course list shows enrollments and may include courses that have not been completed. To find awarded certificates, use My Certificates in the profile area. From there, you can review certificate dates, identifiers, and available download links. Menu wording may vary slightly by Moodle version.
Can Online-PDH mail a hard-copy certificate?
Yes. If you cannot print your certificates, contact Online-PDH after completing all requested courses. Allow up to two weeks for printing and mailing.
Must I submit certificates when renewing my license?
Follow the renewal instructions for your jurisdiction. Many boards require licensees to list completed activities and retain the supporting documents for a possible audit, while some jurisdictions require electronic reporting or other documentation at renewal. Do not submit documents unless the board’s instructions require them.
Does Online-PDH automatically report credits to every licensing board?
No. Licensees generally remain responsible for reporting their own continuing education. Online-PDH can provide completion information or respond to a board verification request when appropriate. Some jurisdictions use a separate reporting service, so follow the current instructions of each board where you are licensed.
How long does Online-PDH retain completion records?
Online-PDH’s current policy is to retain certificate and course-completion records for at least seven years. Licensees should also keep their own certificates, receipts, and course information for the period required by each board. Review the full Recordkeeping Policy.
What help is available if I am audited?
Online-PDH can assist with records and verification for properly paid course completions. Keep your own certificate and purchase receipt, then review the Audit Assistance Policy or contact Online-PDH if a board requests additional information.
05
Account and Technical Help
Confirmation emails, password resets, account access, and support
What should I do if the account-confirmation email does not arrive?
Check your spam or junk folder and confirm that the email address was entered correctly. Corporate and government email filters may also block automated messages. If the message is still missing, use the Contact Us page so an administrator can review and, when appropriate, confirm the account.
How do I reset a forgotten password?
Use the Forgotten password page and search by username or email address. If the reset message does not arrive, check your spam folder and then contact Online-PDH for assistance.
Why is my account locked?
An account may be temporarily restricted when a certificate was generated without a covering payment, when a course was completed after a plan expired, or when an account issue requires administrative review. A password reset does not remove an administrative restriction. Contact Online-PDH so the account and payment history can be reviewed.
Can I use my account on another computer or mobile device?
Yes. Sign in with the same username and password on a current web browser. Avoid sharing an account, and sign out when using a public or shared device.
Is email or telephone support preferred?
Email is preferred because it creates a written record and allows the PE-operated support team to review course, payment, and technical details before responding. Use the Contact Us page and include your account email, the course identifier, and a concise description of the issue. Do not send passwords or complete payment-card numbers.
06
Licensing Requirements and Course Acceptance
Understanding jurisdiction-specific rules and professional responsibility
What are the PDH requirements in my state?
Requirements differ in total hours, renewal period, required subjects, provider approval, delivery method, carryover, exemptions, and reporting. Begin with the State PDH Requirements directory, then confirm the current rule and renewal instructions on the licensing board’s official website.
Which jurisdictions require continuing professional competency?
Most U.S. jurisdictions require continuing education for active professional engineers, but the status and form of those requirements can change. The State PDH Requirements directory identifies jurisdictions with a general PE requirement and those without one. Territorial requirements should be verified directly with the applicable licensing authority.
Do NCEES guidelines guarantee acceptance by every state board?
No. NCEES publishes a model framework and continuing professional competency guidance, but licensing jurisdictions adopt and administer their own requirements. Online-PDH courses are designed to align with generally recognized CPC principles; the licensing board retains final authority over whether a specific course qualifies for a specific licensee and renewal period.
Who is responsible for determining whether a course qualifies?
The licensee is responsible for selecting courses relevant to the licensee’s practice and for meeting every applicable board rule. Pay particular attention to ethics, laws and rules, health-safety-welfare content, approved-provider requirements, online-course limits, repeated-course restrictions, and deadlines. Contact the licensing board when acceptance is uncertain.
Does Online-PDH sell or disclose my contact information?
Online-PDH does not sell customer contact information. Information may be processed by service providers needed to operate the website, deliver email, process payments, or meet legal and regulatory obligations. Review the current Privacy Policy for the complete terms.